2014’s Top Fit Tech (So Far, At Least)

We sussed through heaps of "this-is-the-next-IT-workout-tech" gadgets, apps and monitors, and found the three that you should care about right now. This tracker, tool and app are seriously fit legit.

1. An any-time, anywhere tone-up tool: For those moments when you're lounging on the couch and thinking "I should really be doing something," there's TAO. Squeeze the palm-size device (between your hands, knees, thighs), and it resists back, giving you an isometric strength workout, as well as coaching you on when to press more or less plus for how long and the number of reps. Watch demos of the more than 50 muscle-toning moves via its smartphone app -- and turn some of that lazy downtime into sculptin' time.

2. A fit tracker that “knows your potential”: No doubt you’ve seen and heard about a bajillion activity monitors (Jawbone, Nike FuelBand, FitBit, etc, etc, etc). We think Garmin’s new vivofit band may combine the best parts of them all. Similar to those other big names, it tracks your steps, calories, sleep and heart rate, yes, but with one additional, brilliant feature: It “learns” how much you typically move, so that each day it can give you a personalized, realistic calorie burn or step goal — one that will gradually adjust as you get fitter, so you’re always inching closer to hotness.

3. A genius (and super user-friendly) app: Simplicity. Gorgeous design. Crazy-effective results. Is it so much to ask for in a workout app? Absolutely not, answers Hot5. And Hot5 couldn’t make working out easier. Pick your the routine you want — high intensity intervals, yoga, ab work, whatever you fancy — and a personal trainer will lead you through a five-minute workout video (think HBO quality, not YouTube I-shot-this-in-my-bedroom style) with five exercises. Workout, squeezed in. And for days when you’ve got 10, 15, 45 minutes? Name your ideal lineup, and the app strings together your video routines seamlessly. Easy enough, right?